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Archive for the ‘Tonga’ Category

My article was originally published on Meet Plan Go! As I knock, knock, knocked on the window of a sleek catamaran with a shiny teak deck, I wondered, is this appropriate behavior? Had I been visiting a house, I would have knocked on the front door, but climbing aboard seemed intrusive. No one emerged from below deck. […]

After our crewing experience aboard Wonderland, we were unsure if this new found crewing/yachtie life was for us. We decided to take a crewing offer if it fell in our laps as a means to save money; otherwise, we would be fine with flying to Fiji. Our first day on land in Tonga, we were […]

We spent the first evening on Uoleva swaying in our hammock, happy to have finally found the deserted tropical island we had daydreamed about for months. After a rainy week in Neiafu, we headed south via the local ferry to the Ha’apai – a group of 51 low coral and 2 volcanic islands. We were […]

The Ha’apai Islands in Tonga is a group of 51 low coral and 2 volcanic islands. Pictured here is one of many deserted beaches found on Uoleva Island located 1.5km south of the main island Lifuka. To enjoy these beautiful islands you must be able to forgo all modern conveniences (electricity, hot water, etc.) and […]

several people asked me after I announced I had arrived here a few weeks back. The Kingdom of Tonga is a group of 171 islands located in the South Pacific southeast of Fiji. It is the oldest and last remaining Polynesian monarchy and the only South Pacific nation never to be brought under foreign rule. […]

I had anxiety about the toilet situation aboard Wonderland after the captain showed me a large mason jar she uses to pee inside and dump overboard. She also had an assortment of “she wees” a portable urinary device advertised to allow women to “stand up and take control.” There was a toilet onboard but she […]

Learned Something New Today: How to kitesurf offshore by launching from a yacht! Before arriving at Minerva Reefs we were unsure if we would have the opportunity to explore the two submerged atolls that belong to Tonga. Discovered in 1829 when the whaler vessel Minerva struck the reef and was shipwrecked for weeks. Our captain […]

“Which sheet do you pull to take in the jib?” Captain Evi asked me. As I looked at the multitude of ropes, a mix of solid colors and patterns across the rainbow I felt a sense of confusion and dread. “This one?” I guessed, grabbing hold of a white rope with red dashes. She frowned […]